What Clues Do Davis' Final Days as Hog Provide?

In search for indications a life-altering decision was on the bring, final 48 of Arkansas Razorbacks guard shed some light

Author:
Kent Smith
Publish date:
Jan 29, 2024 11:15 AM EST

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Arkansas Razorbacks

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – Just nine months ago, the idea of Davonte Davis no longer being an Arkansas Razorback was a complete impossibility short of him sneaking into the back end of the NBA draft.

He had literally just moved Hog fans to tears and positioned himself as the national darling of the NCAA Tournament with an inspired lifting of Arkansas over No. 1 Kansas followed by an emotional postgame interview where at times he simply didn't have anything left in the tank to say what he wanted to convey.

Yet, the premature end to his Razorbacks career wasn't all that surprising. For many weeks now, it had been clear something just wasn't right.

Fans weren't seeing the Davis they had come to know and love. There was discipline for off the court actions, erratic physical behavior on the court, and a lack of the signature leadership and lockdown defense the Hogs had come to rely upon the past couple of years.

Still, the public side of Davis his final two days as a Razorback were about as vintage "Devo" as it gets. On Thursday, he made his regular weekly radio appearance on 103.7 The Buzz in Little Rock despite having been benched during most of a blowout loss to Ole Miss.

After hosts went out of their way to say how impressive it was that Davis called in even though things went poorly for the team and him personally in Oxford, the first thing he addressed was the team's need to communicate. Davis was asked about his health, which he said was good.

Eventually, talk went to how he was feeling about being benched. He was also asked whether Musselman gave him any heads up as to whether he would be missing the second half.

"He didn't tell me," Davis said. "He didn't tell me. He didn't tell me he was gonna sit me. He just didn't put me in, which is fine."

So, Davis said he chose to focus on doing as many little things as possible to keep his teammates going throughout the game.

"Me, myself, I just tried to do whatever I could to help them," Davis said. "Whether it was giving the guys water or giving the guys towels. Communicate with them. I was taught to do my best. Knowing I wasn't in the game, I was doing it for them and for me and we know, too, we got a huge game coming up Saturday, so yeah, prepare for that."

He also gave no indication he had plans other than to be at Bud Walton for the Kentucky game Saturday as his segment wrapped.

"[Hopefully, fans] continue to try to pursue and come to games and try to cheer us on and respect that we, just as a team, continue to get better. You know, I mean, we at an all time low at this point, but it can't get any worse. We know that better days are coming. When is that? It may be Saturday. May be in the SEC tournament. But you never know. Continue to try to continue to work hard as a team, as individuals, and try to learn from these losses that we picked up early SEC play.

Then Friday, social media shows he went to Holcolmb Elementary School in Fayetteville and delivered a $10,000 check on behalf of Casey's convenience stores for playground basketball courts.

Davis showing up for Central Arkansas. Davis showing up for kids. Yes, there appears to be NIL money tied to both appearances, but nothing could have been more on-brand for the Jacksonville native.

Although Saturday's events had been building, the public persona of Davis made things feel very abrupt. As if things came down to a final, quick decision by either he, Musselman or both.

There were plenty of rumors and speculation leading up to Saturday's news that Davis was leaving the team. There has been plenty of the same since. However, as anyone who grew up in Arkansas can attest, a healthy rumor mill is a traditioned pastime in this state and, more often than not, very little, if any of it, is true.

So, that's where it all will stay. If Davis wants to give an account of his side of what went down, he will certainly be given the platform at allHogs to do so.

But, until such time comes, the story of Davis and his time at Arkansas ends as this. He didn't shy away from his media obligation when others might have done so and he made sure the kids at Holcomb Elementary got their money. Then it ended.